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Debate:Congo, UN Intervention in
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[  ][  ][  ][  ][  ]Is the UN failing in the Democratic Republic of Congo? |
This article is based on a Debatabase entry written by Andraz Melansek. Because this document can be modified by any registered user of this site, its contents should be cited with care.
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[ ][  ][  ][  ][  ]Argument #1 | |
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[  ][ ]YesWith the Ceasefire Agreement of Lusaka in July 1999 the so-called "Africa's World War" ended. Foreign occupiers (Rwanda, Uganda, Angola, Zimbabwe…) officially removed their troops from the territory under the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Combatants of different Congo tribes were integrated into the Congolese armed forces and the DRC provisional authorities were set up, sharing power between the previously warring factions. MONUC has been involved in the process of peace-building ever since the Lusaka Agreement. The UN's presence is crucial to monitoring the Agreement and protecting the people of Congo. |
[ ][ ]NoIn the border regions of Ituri and Kivu armed fighting still goes on. MONUC isn't able to carry out its task of protecting civilians due to an insufficient number of troops. Human rights groups report severe, large scale ethnic fighting, massacres, rape etc. Sources reveal that the Ugandan and Rwandan armies are still present in the DRC, together with the mercenaries of private multinational companies, which cause severe regional instability. The EU-led operation Artemis reveals that MONUC can't deal with severe security situations. The failure of UN forces to protect civilians from terror and massacre in recent months has led them to be reviled by local people and provided an ominous reminder of past disasters in Rwanda and Bosnia. |
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[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][  ]Argument #2 | |
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[ ][ ]YesThe Government of National Unity and Transition was established to lead the country after the war. MONUC, in coordination with other United Nations agencies, donors and non-governmental organizations, provides assistance during the transition period for the reform of security forces, and the re-establishment of a State based on the rule of law. It also assists in helping with the preparation for the forthcoming elections. |
[ ][ ]NoThe government is a place of constant ethnic frictions that impede the performance of its duties. Because of the vastness of Congo, and its lack of any roads or rail links between population centers, they are also incapable of exercising territorial sovereignty over the whole country. People have no trust in the democratic structures and display no national feeling. National governance is perceived as a zero sum game in which the power of a minister is exercised corruptly for his own benefit, as well as that of his faction and ethnic group, and at the expense of others. At the same time, government has to share power with local warlords and faces the constant threat of internal coups. The UN is doing nothing to improve this situation. |
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[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]Argument #3 | |
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[ ][ ]YesIn a war-torn society MONUC helps with disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR). They are using the latest technology and decades of UN experience with visible success. Thousands of ex-combatants have already been returned to their homes and reintegrated into the lives of their communities. DDR is of crucial importance for the future stability of the DRC. |
[ ][ ]NoThe disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme faces coordination and financial problems. There is a security threat from volatile border regions that might reverse the whole DDR effort (new Rwandan army incursions have been reported in December 2004). MONUC can't protect the repatriated civilians, which discourages the ex-combatants from entering into DDR programmes. |
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[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]Argument #4 | |
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[ ][ ]YesThe elections process is moving ahead well. MONUC has the best radio coverage in the country and enough means of transport and personnel to facilitate the pre-election arrangements. They are making big efforts to bring about local and national elections in 2005 with large-scale international involvement and local recruitment of election personnel. |
[ ][ ]NoThe UN is failing to move Congo towards democracy. Laws to regulate the transition process are absent. Not even the law that regulates the Independent Electoral Commission has been approved in spite of heavy pressures to speed up the process. Since 1985 there have been no records about the number of the Congolese people. There is a lack of political will to hold the elections and the UN doesn't have the power to change either the attitude of the Congolese elite, or the commitment of the international community. Nor does the security situation allow for the holding of free and fair elections across the country. |
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[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]Argument #5 | |
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[ ][ ]YesThe recorded economy of the DRC and its real GDP are showing signs of growth. The UN Panel of Experts has finally provided detailed information about the involvement of a range of African, European and North American businesses in illegal or illicit exploitation of natural resources in the DRC. With the support of the UN, measures have been implemented intended to increase the control of the ministry of finance over state expenditure, and new statutes have strengthened the independence of the Central Bank. |
[ ][ ]NoThere is considerable evidence of a continuation of criminality linked to exploitation, including fraud, smuggling, counterfeit money, extortion, and tax evasion. Many natural riches are flown directly out of the country without being taxed. Reports indicate that criminal networks with political links transport and sell ‘unofficial’ quantities of minerals and other forms of wealth, in return for arms. Child and slave labour is still being used. |
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[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]Argument #6 | |
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[ ][ ]YesMONUC is working on improving the humanitarian situation in the DRC. They deliver humanitarian help and medical equipment. Quick impact programmes are specially meant to address humanitarian issues and work with the population affected. Without the work of the UN, the desperate situation of the Congolese people would be even worse. |
[ ][ ]NoThe humanitarian situation in the country remains critical. Congo is lacking hospitals, access to safe water and adequate sanitary facilities. Life expectancy remains low at the age of 43 and child mortality rate is still high. The country is constantly facing different epidemics, with HIV/AIDS a major threat. The humanitarian situation is unlikely to improve, given the failure of the UN to secure a proper peace and provide safety for the people of the Congo. Indeed, recent evidence that UN troops and civilian employees have been involved in exploiting local children for sex shows that the situation is actually being made worse. |
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